Tom Leyden catches up with the Westwood Living August Cover Girl Diana Bezdedeanu. 

Diana has immersed herself in the world of equine facilitated learning since graduating from Westwood High School in 2020. Tom and Diana chat about her history with horses, always being busy, making a huge life transition in the middle of a global pandemic and what's the latest news surrounding her new business, Horses Offering People Education. 

You can learn more by visiting hopeinma.com and you can read the full feature on Diana by visiting westwood-living.com and selecting the August issue from the slide show on the front page.

Diana Bezdedeanu

Tom Leyden and Kristen Bender Daaboul chat from the Muffin House in Westwood. 

Kristen Bender Daaboul is the owner of two businesses - Raha Home and Kadeema Rentals - regularly mixing a combination of design and architecture into her daily routines.  Kristen talks about her upbringing in Nebraska, the education that crafted her expertise in design and how she's brought those skills to the growth of her businesses. 

Learn more: 
http://www.rahahome.co 
http://www.kadeemarentals.com

Kristen Bender Daaboul - Raha Home and Kadeema Rentals

Tom Leyden chats with Kelsey Lindsey in the kitchen of JK Catering and Events in Westwood. 

Kelsey is one half of the ownership team at JK Catering and Events, a specialty company focused on creating memorable events centered on food and drinks. In addition to preparing charcuterie boards and fulfilling custom food orders, Kelsey and her husband, Juan, also operate the Tapville Mobile Taproom, a 16-tap mobile bar that can be rented and customized for parties and special events.   Tom and Kelsey talk about the birth of the company, what's really taken off in the last year and what she is hoping for in the years to come - plus what you should know about making your holiday party plans. 

Call Juan and Kelsey at 508-523-5569 and visit www.jkcateringandevents.com

Kelsey Lindsey, JK Catering & Events

Tom Leyden previews the upcoming production of Game of Tiaras with Mr. Jim Howard, who runs the Westwood Stage program, and seniors Ella Mansour and Nora Fortune. 

Performances of Game of Tiaras are scheduled for Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 and Saturday, November 4 at 2:00 and 7:30. 

When the aging king of a Magical Kingdom (England) decides to split his empire between his three daughters, Cinderella, Belle, and the Snow Queen (who in no way resembles a copyrighted character), terrible tragedy ensues. Terrible, hilarious tragedy. Combining the gut-wrenching plot twists of Game of Thrones and the soul-numbing despair of Shakespearean tragedy, this adaptation of King Lear will leave you dying with laughter as the body count mounts. When you play the Game of Tiaras, you win or you die.   

(Source: Playscripts.com)

From Mr. Howard:  

I've always been a fan of watching dark comedies.    The biting nature of them often finds characters saying what you wish they would in real life, but never do.  More importantly,  dark comedies have something to say about the world we live in and typically say them in a really powerful, and often unexpected way.   

I'm looking forward to exploring this work with the cast as we all discover what it is the play is telling us about the world we live in  today.

Learn more and get tickets at www.westwoodstage.com

Ella Mansour, Nora Fortune & Jim Howard - Westwood Stage

Tom Leyden learns more about Sandria Chen, our Barrows Featured Artist of March. 

Sandria Chen is a junior at Westwood High School and was nominated by a fellow student for her outstanding vision and execution in the art room. Sandria and Tom chat about her background, her motivation and some specific pieces that are featured throughout this video.  

Congratulations to Sandria, who you can follow on Instagram - www.instagram.com/sandriax

Sandria Chen

Tom Leyden connects with Doug Pollard at Pollard's Test Kitchen in Westwood. 

Doug and his wife, Stephanie, bought High Street Market from Liz Adams in 2023 and opened for business in November, 2023, just before Thanksgiving. In the year since, Doug has already left a footprint in Westwood, bringing his unique and delicious style and taste to Pollard's Test Kitchen, and also catering two of Westwood Living's quarterly events - The Spring Sunset Party at Hale Education and The Bean Farm Summer Bonanza. 

Doug and his team will make the holidays easy for you. Let them do the work so you can enjoy the family. Visit http://www.pollardstestkitchen.com

Doug Pollard - Pollard's Test Kitchen

Tom Leyden connects with Joseph Vinci as the Westwood native gets set to play in the National Championship Game for Notre Dame against Ohio State. 

Joseph Vinci is the long snapper for Notre Dame's punting unit, and has played in seven games this season, including all three of the Irish postseason wins.  Notre Dame will face OSU Monday night in Atlanta for the national title, and Joseph, less than a year since he graduated from Westwood High School will be on the field wearing #96. 

Joseph Vinci, Notre Dame Long Snapper

Tom Leyden connects with Dave Fleischman, the owner of APR Physical Therapy, at the Foxboro studio - one of two studios operated by Dave and his team. 

Dave Fleischman has spent decades in the field after graduating from West Virginia University and is Westwood Living's Expert Contributor in Physical Therapy.  During our conversation, he talks specifically about his mission to provide concierge service for his clients and what he's learned about building the business and working together with his team. 

To learn more about APR Physical Therapy, visit http://www.aprpt.com


Dave Fleischman - APR Physical Therapy

Tom Leyden chats with Lauren Buza, Olivia Li and Saoirse Prendergast previewing the Westwood Stage production of "Catch Me If You Can, The Musical" 

Lauren, Olivia and Saoirse are each seniors at Westwood High School who play instrumental roles as leaders in the Westwood Stage family.  They discuss how a well-known movie, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, has been adapted for the stage as a musical, what guests should expect and how nuances made by the directors will impact the performance - from set design to where the band will be positioned (on stage). 

The trio also discuss the impact Westwood Stage has had on their lives and the responsibility they have to maintain and further develop a culture of inclusivity and support. 

Performance Schedule: 

Thursday, March 13 - 7:30pm
Friday, March 14 - 7:30pm
Saturday, March 15 - 2pm 
Saturday, March 15 - 7:30pm 

Tickets: 

http://www.westwoodstage.com

Westwood Stage: Previewing Catch Me If You Can

Tom Leyden and Anne Cloherty Fortune connect to talk about the Westwood Community Chest and the 2025 Gala of Giving, scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at the Norfolk Golf Club. 

Anne Fortune is co-president of the Westwood Community Chest, sharing duties with Jim McLaughlin. In her third year on the board, Anne details the many ways The Westwood Community Chest serves Westwood's neighbors, helping financially in times of temporary need. 

The Westwood Community Chest has helped send 600 kids to camp and has provided more than $1.7 million in financial assistance to our neighbors. 

The Gala of Giving will feature food, cocktails and a fabulous silent auction. 

Anne details some of the great items up for bid, including Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots tickets, along with a trip to Stowe, VT, a round of golf at the Charles River Country Club and a driver education package from Needham Driving School - among others. 

Please join us at the Gala of Giving. A limited number of tickets are still available at http://westwoodcommunitychest.org

Anne Cloherty Fortune - Westwood Community Chest

Tom Leyden interviews local business owners and residents to learn more about their journeys and missions. Join the Westwood Living Business Network and start connecting in a meaningful way with others in Westwood and beyond.

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